Combined shaker dispenser and closure



Fm m @967 w. J. ECKLES WW COMBINED SHAKER DISPENSER AND CLOSURE FiledOct. 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR,

WILLIAM J. ECKLES EDWARD D. O'QRIMBD ATTDRNEY.

Feb. @967 K g 3,3Q2fl35 COMBINED SHAKER DISPENSER AND CLOSURE Filed 00%.22, 1965 2 Sheets-$111881 2 INVENTOR, VWLLIAM J. ECIKLES.

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United States Patent 3,302,835 COMBINED SHAKER DllaliENSER AND (ILQSUREWilliam J. Eckles, 1117 S. Cambridge, Anaheim, Calif. 92805 Filed Oct.22, 1965, Set. No. 500,520 Claims. (Cl. 222-531) This invention isdirected to a combined shaker dispenser and closure particularly adaptedto control the dispensing of materials from a container when in the openposition, and to close the container when in the closed position.

Many materials are available in particulate form, and in many cases thedispensing of such materials must be controlled. Often, these materialsare merchandise in containers, and it is desirable to have a dispenserin association with the container of such nature as to permit thedispensing of appropriate quantities and appropriate distribution of theparticulate material. Furthermore, it is helpful that the container beclosed When dispensing is not desired. This prevents contamination andloss of particulate material.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a combinedshaker dispenser and closure which is adapted to be positioned within anopening in the container and which is adapted to be able to move from afirst position to a second position. In the first position the containeris closed, and in the second position the dispenser is in such aposition as to dispense proper and accurately controlled quantities ofparticulate material.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combined shakerdispenser and closure which is adapted to snap into an opening in acontainer and be limited with respect to the container in motion from aclosed position to an open position and in the open position be of suchnature as to properly and adequately control the flow of particulatematerial from the container.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combined shakerdispenser and closure which properly seals when in the closed positionso as to obviate the need for an overseal.

It is another object of this invention to provide a combined shakerdispenser and closure which is economic of manufacture, easy ofinstallation on a container and of long trouble free life.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combined shakerdispenser and closure which can be economically molded of polymercomposition material.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a shaker dispenserand closure which is of such configuration that it acts as its own hingewith respect to appropriate surfaces and edges of the container.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent froma study of the following portion of this specification, the claims andthe attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the top of a container having an openingtherein suitable for insertion of the combined shaker dispenser andclosure of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the top of a container having thecombined shaker dispenser and closure associated therewith and shown inclosed position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the combined dispenser and closuretaken in enlarged partial section through the container and showing theclosure in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the dis penser and closurein the dispensing position;

FIG. 5 is a section taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

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FIG. 6 is a section taken generally-along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the dispenser and closure when viewed ina closed position;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the combined shaker dispenser andclosure; and

FIG. 9 is an isometric view thereof.

As an aid to understanding this invention it can be stated inessentially summary form that it is directed to a combined shakerdispenser and closure. The combined shaker dispenser and closure isparticularly adapted for use in dispensing particulate materials fromcontainers. A triangular opening is formed in the container and theclosure has a closure plate which is of generally triangularconfiguration and of such larger dimension than the opening as to beable to completely overlie the opening. Directly below the closure plateis a groove into which the sides of the opening snap when the closure isin the closed position. Angularly arranged from this first groove is asecond groove, which intersects with the first groove at one of theedges. This groove intersection serves as a hinge and embraces an edgeof the container at the opening. A stop is formed below the secondgroove, and the structure is arranged so that when the closure is movedto the open, dispensing position the edges of the container occupy thesecond groove. Slots are formed past the second groove toward the firstgroove. These slots are of sufficient dimension as to extend below thesecond groove. Thus, when the closure is moved to the open position, theslots extend from the interior to the exterior of the container. Theseslots serve for the dispensing purpose. The slots are preferably formedin such a manner as to guide particulate material back into the interiorof the container when dispensing is to be terminated and the containeris returned to its upright position.

This invention will be understood in greater detail by reference to thefollowing portion of this specification wherein the drawings aredescribed. Referring now to FIG. 1, a container 12 suitable for combinedshaker dispenser and closure 11) of this invention is generallyindicated. The container 12 is shown as having cylindrical side walls 14and flat top 16. However, the dispenser and closure 10 is useful withcontainers of other configurations. The container 12 is preferably ofsuch nature as to be adaptable to contain particulate materials, such assalt. In fact, the container 12 is conventionally a cylindrical tablesalt container and is preferably made of flexible material such ascardboard. The top 16 has a triangular opening 17 therein in which thedispenser and closure 10 is positioned. The triangular opening has abase 13 and sides 20 and 21. The sides are preferably equal, so as todefine an isosceles triangle, and may be equal to the base 18 to make anequilateral triangle. However, an isosceles triangle is preferred withthe base length approximately equal to /5 the length of one of the sides20 and 21. The base 18 and sides 26 and 21 define opening 17 intocontainer 12. The base and sides of the opening 17 in top 16 aresomewhat resilient and deformable due to the flexibility of thematerial.

The combined shaker dispenser and closure 10, hereinafter referred to asthe dispenser, has a top plate 22. Top plate 22 is of generallytriangular configuration, and may be truncated as shown. Preferably, topplate 22 has a slight bevel 24 at the front edge thereof to aid inraising the top plate from the closed position of FIG. 3 to thedispensing position of FIG. 4. Walls 26 and 28 extend downwardly fromand are preferably integrally formed with top plate 22. Walls 26 and 25%have interior planar surfaces 30 and 32 which define the hollow 3interior between walls 26 and 28. The hollow interior is open at thebottom and back of dispenser 1Q.

Each of the walls 26 and 28 is symmetrical about the altitude of thetriangle formed by the walls. Thus, for purposes of this discussion onlywall 26 need be described in detail. Wall 26 is formed of a plurality ofsurfaces on the exterior thereof. Surface 34 is planar, and acts as asurface which lies closely adjacent the corresponding side 21. Groove 36is formed below top plate 22 across the back of the dispenser lit) andcorresponds in vertical dimension to the surface 34. Groove 36 acceptsbase 113 of the opening, and this combination serves as a pivot for thedispenser 10 as it moves from one position to the other and serves toaid in retaining the dispenser 10 in either position. Wall 26 terminatesin back edge 38 which is substantially in line with the base of thetruncated triangle which for-ms top plate 22. In any event, groove 36extends forwardly underneath top plate 22 and forwardly of back edge 38.Thus, the groove 36 forms restraint in three directions with respect tothe base 18 which forms a portion of the opening in top 16.

Immediately below surface 34, and substantially meeting therewith, isangular face 40. Angular face at) extends parallel to top plate 22 andextends angularly outward with respect to surface 34. Face 42, in theembodi ment shown, is substantially planar and adjoins face 40. Face 42lies between angular face 40 and angular face 44 and lies perpendicularto the bisectors of these angles. Below angular face 44 is surface 46,which is similar to surface 34. Surface 46 intersects surface 34 atgroove 36. Thus, as plate 22 is pivoted upwardly about groove 36 fromthe position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4 the entiredispenser 10 swings about the pivot point until surface 46 lies in theplane of top 16. Sur face 46 defines a groove which maintains dispenser10 in this position. Flange 48 extends outwardly from surface 46. Flange43 has a substantially planar stop surface 50, see FIG. 6, which engageswith the underside of top 16 to form a stop in the upper position. Guidesurface 52 tapers inwardly and aids in the insertion of dispenser 16into the triangular opening in top 16. After the dispenser lid isinserted, surface 52 has no further function. However, the overlap offlange 48 with the top 16 at stop surface 50 serves as a seal so thatwhen the container 12 is inverted with the dispenser 10 in the openposition of FIG. 3, the edges are sealed.

In order to dispense particulate materials from container 12 when thedispenser 1th is in the open position, dispensing grooves 54 are formedin wall 26. As is especially well seen in FIGS. 4, and 7, dispensinggrooves 54 do not extend through wall 26, but are formed sulficientlydeeply therein to form a passageway below surface 46. Thus, the interiorof container 12 is open to the outside only through groove 54. The widthof the grooves, the number of them, and the depth they are formed belowsurface 46 determines the rate at which the particulate material isdispensed.

It is to be particularly noted that the front wall surfaces 55, see FIG.5, of groove 54 are angularly arranged with respect to the general faceof wall 26. Such angular relationship, which is in the nature ofone-half of a dovetail, has the special function of guiding particulatematerial back into the container. Thus, when dispensing of particulatematerial is to be stopped, and the container it) is righted, theparticulate material is retained in the grooves by the angularity ofwalls 55. As the container is righted, these walls guide the particulatematerial back into the container. Thus, no particulate material fallsupon top 116, but that which had been in the grooves 54 at the end ofthe dispensing operation is guided by angular walls 55 back into thecontainer.

It is clear that the surfaces 40, 42 and 44 are planar. However, sincethe dispenser l0 pivots about groove 36, it is clear that to make atheoretically tight joint at least the face 42 should be a segment of aconical surface hav- 4 ing the altitude and axis of the cone at groove36. However, a planar surface positioned at the correct angle issatisfactory because of the slight difference in dimension in such asmall surface. Furthermore, the angular faces 40 and 44 can be similarlycurved.

The angular faces 4-0 and 44, together with face 42 intersect with theircorresponding faces on wall 23. The intersection is substantially sharpat edge 56, while edges 58 and 60 form a rounder compromise between theseveral surfaces. The function of the edges 56, 58 and 60, together withtheir associated adjoining surfaces, is to engage in the apex of thetriangular opening in top 16 while dispenser T0 is opened and closed.This engagement into the apex and adjoining surfaces forces thedispenser 10 so that groove 36 is firmly engaged with base 18. Thus, thestructure is maintained in place during the opening operation.

As is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the apexes of surfaces 34 and 46 areat equal radii from the axis of rotation around surface 36. The trueradius is indicated by con struction line 62. As is indicated above,surfaces 56, 58 and 60 extend slightly beyond the true are 62 tomaintain the dispenser 10 in position. Thus, the dispenser 10 can bemoved between the open position and the closed position while properlypivoting in place, and With little danger of its slipping out ofposition. In the closed position, seal is accomplished and in the openposition sealing is accomplished except for the dispensing grooves 54.Thus, no extra cover seal is needed.

This application having been described in its preferred embodiment, itis clear that it is susceptible to numerous changes and embodimentswithin the scope of this invention and without the exercise of theinventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is definedby the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A combined shaker dispenser and closure, said combined shakerdispenser and closure being adapted to control the dispensing ofmaterial from a container having an opening, said combined shakerdispenser and closure being adapted to be inserted in the opening, theopening in the container having at least one straight edge, saidcombined shaker dispenser and closure comprising:

a top plate, said top plate having at least one straight edge and beingof sufficient size to overlie the opening in the container with thestraight edge of said top plate being adjacent the straight edge of theopening, a groove in said shaker dispenser and closure parallel to saidstraight edge of said top plate and positioned beneath said top plate,said groove being adapted to engage the straight edge of the opening;

first and second walls depending below said top plate, said first andsecond walls being connected together, an edge at the connection betweensaid first and second walls, a top groove and a bottom groove in each ofsaid walls, said top groove lying substantially parallel with respect tosaid top plate, said bottom groove lying at an angle with respect tosaid top groove, said top groove and said bottom groove intersecting atsaid first groove, a stop adjacent said bottom groove, said stopextending outwardly away from said bottom groove, an opening in at leastone of said walls between said top groove and said bottom groove;

said combined shaker dispenser and closure being arranged so that it ispivotable on said first groove from a position wherein said top platelies against the top of the container, in which said combined shakerdispenser and closure is closed, to a position wherein the top of thecontainer is adapted to lie in said bottom groove, in which positionsaid openings permit discharge of material from the container.

2. The combined shaker dispenser and closure of claim 1 wherein saidopenings comprise slots extending from below said bottom groove to alocation between said top groove and said bottom groove.

3. The combined shaker dispenser and closure of claim 2 wherein said topplate is substantially triangular, and said walls intersect each otherin said edge.

4. The combined shaker dispenser and closure of claim 3 wherein saidedge extends a greater distance away from said first groove than saidtop and bottom grooves whereby the combined shaker dispenser and closureis adapted to be forced in a direction toward said first groove as it ismoved from an open position to a closed position.

5. A combined shaker dispenser and closure adapted to act as a shakerdispenser and closure for a container containing particulate materialand adpted to fit within an opening in the container to control the flowof material from the opening, the opening having at least one straightedge, the combined shaker dispenser and closure comprising:

a substantially planar top plate having at least one straight edgecorresponding to the straight edge of the opening, said top plate havinga top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said topplate being adapted to engage the container around the opening thereofwhen the combined shaker dispenser and closure is positioned to closethe hole; first and second walls secured to and extending away from saidbottom surface of said top plate, said first and second walls eachhaving first and second edges, said first edges of said wall adoiningand said second edges of said walls being spaced from each other, agroove adjacent the lower surface of said top plate adjacent to andparallel to said straight edge thereof, said groove being adapted toembrace the straight edge of the opening in the container;

first recess surfaces adjacent the juncture of said first and secondwalls with the lower surface of said top plate, said first recesssurfaces being adapted to receive the container adjacent the openingtherein, said first recesses lying parallel to the top plate, secondrecesses in said first and second side walls, said second recesses beingarranged at an angle with respect to said first recesses andintersecting said first recesses at said groove, faces between saidfirst and second recesses, said faces being smoothly joined with saidrecesses;

stop surfaces adjacent said second surfaces, said stop surfacesextending away from said second recess surfaces and adapted to engagewithin the container when said combined shaker dispenser and closure isin its dispensing position;

dispensing openings in said faces, said dispensing openings being openfrom the interior of the container to the exterior thereof when thecombined shaker dispenser and closure is in its dispensing position andbeing within the container when said combined shaker dispenser andclosure is in its closed position, said dispensing openings comprisinggrooves extending from said face past said second surface so that saidgrooves are open to the interior of the container, said grooves eachhaving at least one surface angularly arranged with respect to the saidfirst and second walls.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,561,601 11/1925Gannon 222-531 1,861,602 6/1932 Koze 222531 X 1,863,787 6/1932 Geist222-531 2,544,524 3/1951 Bonnefoy 222565 X 2,612,292 9/1952 Von Duyke222-498 X 3,023,938 3/1962 Johnson 222-565 X 3,087,657 4/1963 Eckles222-531 RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

1. A COMBINED SHAKER DISPENSER AND CLOSURE, SAID COMBINED SHAKERDISPENSER AND CLOSURE BEING ADAPTED TO CONTROL THE DISPENSING OFMATERIAL FROM A CONTAINER HAVING AN OPENING, SAID COMBINED SHAKERDISPENSER AND CLOSURE BEING ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED IN THE OPENING, THEOPENING IN THE CONTAINER HAVING AT LEAST ONE STRAIGHT EDGE, SAIDCOMBINED SHAKER DISPENSER AND CLOSURE COMPRISING: A TOP PLATE, SAID TOPPLATE HAVING AT LEAST ONE STRAIGHT EDGE AND BEING OF SUFFICIENT SIZE TOOVERLIE THE OPENING IN THE CONTAINER WITH THE STRAIGHT EDGE OF SAID TOPPLATE BEING ADJACENT THE STRAIGHT EDGE OF THE OPENING, A GROOVE IN SAIDSHAKER DISPENSER AND CLOSURE PARALLEL TO SAID STRAIGHT EDGE OF SAID TOPPLATE AND POSITIONED BENEATH SAID TOP PLATE, SAID GROOVE BEING ADAPTEDTO ENGAGE THE STRAIGHT EDGE OF THE OPENING; FIRST AND SECOND WALLSDEPENDING BELOW SAID TOP PLATE, SAID FIRST AND SECOND WALLS BEINGCONNECTED TOGETHER, AND EDGE AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID FIRST ANDSECOND WALLS, A TOP GROOVE AND A BOTTOM GROOVE IN EACH OF SAID WALLS,SAID TOP GROOVE LYING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL WITH RESPECT TO SAID TOPPLATE, SAID BOTTOM GROOVE LYING AT AN ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID TOPGROOVE, SAID TOP GROOVE AND SAID BOTTOM GROOVE INTERSECTING AT SAIDFIRST GROOVE, A STOP ADJACENT SAID BOTTOM GROOVE, SAID STOP EXTENDINGOUTWARDLY AWAY FROM SAID BOTTOM GROOVE, AN OPENING IN AT LEAST ONE OFSAID WALLS BETWEEN SAID TOP GROOVE AND SAID BOTTOM GROOVE; SAID COMBINEDSHAKER DISPENSER AND CLOSURE BEING ARRANGED SO THAT IT IS PIVOTABLE ONSAID FIRST GROOVE FROM A POSITION WHEREIN SAID TOP PLATE LIES AGAINSTTHE TOP OF THE CONTAINER, IN WHICH SAID COMBINED SHAKER DISPENSER ANDCLOSURE IS CLOSED, TO A POSITION WHEREIN THE TOP OF THE CONTAINER ISADAPTED TO LIE IN SAID BOTTOM GROOVE, IN WHICH POSITION SAID OPENINGSPERMIT DISCHARGE OF MATERIAL FROM THE CONTAINER.